*ISLAMABAD – Interpol has responded to Pakistan government request ofarresting the former President Pervaiz Musharraf.*
*Interpol has declined Pakistan’s request to bring back former militarydictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, who is wanted in a high-profiletreason case, the interior secretary told a special court on Wednesday.*
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Yawar Ali and Justice Mazhar Akbar,summoned the correspondence that took place between the interior ministryand Interpol by the next date of the hearing.
On the other hand, the prosecution’s counsel, Akram Sheikh, excused himselffrom pursuing the case any further. The court accepted his request.
“We have no objection,” remarked Justice Ali. “You may distance yourselffrom the case.”
When the court inquired about arresting General (retd) Musharraf, InteriorSecretary Yousuf Naseem Khokhar said that Interpol has declined Pakistan’srequest. According to Interpol, the request cannot be fulfilled as it isagainst Article C of their rules, said the secretary. He further quotedInterpol as saying that the arrest could not happen as the case ispolitical in nature.
The hearing was adjourned until September 11.
On August 20, the federal government had filed an application asking thecourt to wrap up the case soon. The two-member bench was informed by theprosecution’s lawyer that General (retd) Musharraf had not appeared incourt despite multiple summons issued to him.
Justice Ali questioned whether the trial can continue in General (retd)Musharraf’s absence. He needs to record his statement about the allegationsleveled against him under Section 342 of the Pakistan Penal Code, whichrefers to wrongful confinement.